Paediatric off-label use of drugs in Gansu, China: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the current prevalence and cost of paediatric off-label drug prescriptions in Gansu, China, and the potential influencing factors. DESIGN: The prevalence of off-label prescriptions in paediatrics was evaluated according to the National Medical Products Administration drug instructions in the China Pharmaceutical Reference (China Pharmaceutical Reference, MCDEX) database. The evidence of the prescription was determined by existing clinical practice guidelines and the Thomson Grade in the Micromedex 2021 compendium. We used logistic regression to investigate the characteristics that influence paediatric off-label drug use after single-factor regression analysis. SETTING: A multicentre cross-sectional study of outpatient paediatric prescriptions in 196 secondary and tertiary hospitals in Gansu Province, China, in March and September 2020. RESULTS: We retrieved 104 029 paediatric prescriptions, of which 39 480 (38.0%) contained off-label use. The most common diseases treated by off-label drugs were respiratory system diseases (n=15 831, 40.1%). A quarter of off-label prescriptions had adequate evidence basis (n=10 130, 25.6%). Unapproved indications were the most common type of off-label drug use (n=25 891, 65.6%). A total of 1177 different drugs were prescribed off-label, with multienzyme tablets being the most common drug (n=1790, 3.5%). The total cost of the prescribed off-label drugs was ¥106 116/day. Off-label prescriptions were less frequent in tertiary than in secondary hospitals. Topical preparations were more commonly prescribed off-label than other types of drugs. Senior-level clinicians prescribed drugs off-label more often than intermediate and junior clinicians. CONCLUSION: Off-label drug use is widespread in paediatric practice in China. Three-quarters of the prescriptions may potentially include inappropriate medication use, resulting in a daily economic burden of about ¥81 000 in 2020 in Gansu Province with 25 million inhabitants. The management of off-label drug use in paediatrics in China needs improvement.

Closing the gap: Enhancing quality pediatric dermatologic care through project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO).

This study focused on evaluating Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) participating primary care clinician's (PCC's) diagnostic and treatment accuracy of pediatric dermatologic conditions. To evaluate this, pediatric cases presented to Dermatology ECHO by PCCs with questions regarding diagnosis, treatment regimen, or both were analyzed. After PCC case presentation, the hub team of dermatologists facilitated case-based discussion and provided the presenter with mentorship and guidance regarding diagnosis and treatment of their patient.

Salvia guidongensis sp. nov.: unraveling a critical evolutionary link in East Asian Salvia from Central China integrating morphology, phylogeny, and plastid genomics.

Introduction: Salvia L., representing the largest genus within the mint family, is noted for its global distribution of approximately 1000 species, with East Asia, and particularly China, recognized as a critical center of diversity for the genus. Methods: Our research was conducted through extensive fieldwork in Guidong County, Hunan Province, China, where we identified a previously undescribed species of Salvia. The identification process involved detailed morphological observations, phylogenetic analyses, and plastid genomics. Results: The newly discovered species, Salvia guidongensis, exhibits unique characteristics not commonly observed in the East Asian lineage of Salvia, including dual floral colors within natural populations-either pale purple or pale yellow. Morphologically, while it shares similarities with members of sect. Glutinaria, S. guidongensis is distinct in its floral morphology, stature, and specific foliar traits. Phylogenetic analysis places S. guidongensis in a unique clade within the East Asian lineage of Salvia, suggesting it may serve as an important evolutionary link. Additionally, we explored the plastome features of S. guidongensis, comparing them with those of closely related species. Discussion: The discovery of S. guidongensis not only entriches the taxonomic tapestry of Salvia but also provides critical insights into the biogeography and evolutionary pathways of the genus in East Asia. By integrating morphological and molecular data, we validate the novel status of S. guidongensis and highlight its significance in bridging taxonomic and evolutionary gaps within Sect. Glutinaria of Salvia.

Coaxial Flexible Fiber-Shaped Triboelectric Nanogenerator Assisted by Deep Learning for Self-Powered Vibration Monitoring.

Self-powered vibration sensor is highly desired for distributed and continuous monitoring requirements of Industry 4.0. Herein, a flexible fiber-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (F-TENG) with a coaxial core-shell structure is proposed for the vibration monitoring. The F-TENG exhibits higher adaptability to the complex surfaces, which has an outstanding application prospect due to vital compensation for the existing rigid sensors. Initially, the contact characteristics between the dielectric layers, that related to the perceiving performance of the TENG, are theoretically analyzed. Such a TENG with 1D structure endows high sensitivity, allowing for accurately responding to a wide range of vibration frequencies (0.1 to 100 Hz). Even applying to the real diesel engine, the error in detecting the vibration frequencies is only 0.32% compared with the commercial vibration sensor, highlighting its potential in practical application. Further, assisted by deep learning, the recognition accuracy in monitoring nine operating conditions of the system achieves 97.87%. Overall, the newly designed F-TENG with the merits of high-adaptability, cost-efficiency, and self-powered, has offered a promising solution to fulfill an extensive range of vibration sensing applications in the future.

Comparison of lidocaine and lidocaine-xylazine for distal paravertebral anesthesia in dairy cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the time of onset and duration of action of distal paravertebral blocks (DPB) in dairy cattle using lidocaine and lidocaine plus xylazine (LX). ANIMALS: 10 healthy adult Holstein cows. METHODS: Unilateral DPB were performed in 6 cows at L1, L2, and L4. They received 2 treatments (lidocaine and LX) in a blinded random crossover design. Due to treatment failure, 4 additional cows were enrolled. The lidocaine treatment received 1,800 mg (90 mL) of lidocaine, and treatment LX received 1,784 mg (89.2 mL) of lidocaine and 16 mg (0.8 mL) of xylazine. Anesthesia was assessed by response (rapid movements of the tail, directed movements of the feet, or turning of the head towards the site of the needle pricks) to 6 approximately 1-cm deep needle pricks to the paralumbar fossa with a 22-gauge hypodermic needle. The time of onset, duration of action, maximum sedation score, and average heart rate (HR) were compared between treatments. RESULTS: Duration of anesthesia was significantly prolonged after DPB in cows treated with LX (251.6 ± 96.94 minutes) compared to lidocaine (105.8 ± 35.9 minutes; P = .01). Treatment with LX was associated with significantly lower average heart rate (56 ± 3 beats/min) compared to cows treated with lidocaine (59 ± 3 beats/min; P = .045). The LX treatment was associated with mild sedation but was not significant (P = .063). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The addition of xylazine to a lidocaine DPB provides a longer duration of anesthesia, is inexpensive and practical, and can be implemented with ease.

Total flavonoids of Cynomorium songaricum attenuates cognitive defects in an Aß 1-42 -induced Alzheimer's disease rat model by activating BDNF/TrkB signaling transduction.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and BDNF/TrkB is a well-conceived anti-AD signaling. Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. ( C. songaricum ) is a herb with promising neuroprotective effects and the function is majorly attributed to flavonoids. The current study attempted to explore the effects of total flavonoids of C. songaricum (CS) on AD model by focusing on changes in BDNF/TrkB axis. AD model was induced in rats via transcranial injection of Aß 1-42 and AD symptoms treated with CS of three doses. Donepezil was used as the positive control. Changes in rat memory and learning abilities, brain histological, apoptosis, production of neurotransmitters, BDNF/TrkB axis, and apoptosis-related markers were measured. The injection of Aß 1-42 induced cognitive dysfunction in AD rats. The integrity of brain tissue structure was destructed and apoptosis was induced in AD rats, in which was found the increased production of AChE and Aß 1-42 , and decreased production of ChAT, ACH. At the molecular level, the expression of BDNF, TrkB, and Bcl-2 was suppressed, while the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 was induced. After the administration of CS, the memory and learning abilities of rats were improved, the production of neurotransmitter was restored, ordered arrangement of pyramidal cells was retained, and neuron apoptosis was inhibited. The attenuation of Aß 1-42 -indcued impairments was associated with the activation of BDNF/TrkB axis and blockade of apoptosis-related pathways. Collectively, CS can improve learning and memory abilities in Aß 1-42 -induced AD model rats. which may depend on the activation of the hippocampal BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.

Effect of bladder filling status on positioning errors in post-hysterectomy cervical cancer radiotherapy.

Objective: To investigate the effect of different bladder filling states on positioning errors in radiotherapy for cervical cancer and obtain the reference range of bladder filling consistency during radiotherapy.Methods: Patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy for cervical cancer in Nantong Tumor Hospital from October 2018 to December 2019 were selected. According to the bladder filling deviation, they were divided into group A1 (deviation < 20%) and group B1 (deviation ≥ 20%). The bladder filling variations of the two groups were compared with different positioning errors. Group A2 has a positioning error of <0.4 cm, and group B2 has a positioning error of ≥0.4 cm. The reference range of bladder filling consistency during radiotherapy is obtained by analyzing the composition ratio of different positioning errors of bladder filling deviation.Results: This study included 195 patients with cervical cancer. The error of longitudinal and vertical position in group B1 was significantly higher than that in group A1 (0.50 ± 0.34 vs. 0.26 ± 0.22 cm, p < 0.001, and 0.22 ± 0.17 vs. 0.16 ± 0.12 cm, p < 0.001). Compared with group B2, the absolute deviation of bladder filling in group A2 (54.1% ± 54.4% vs. 25.6% ± 22.7%, p < 0.001) was slight. The chi-square test showed significant differences in the proportion of the positioning state of different bladder filling forms (χ2 = 31.006, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the proportion of stability errors in patients with poor stability in different directions (χ2 = 118.551, p < 0.001).Conclusion: In patients with cervical cancer fixed in the supine position, a bladder capacity deviation <20% is easier to achieve excellent positioning with, and it can better control the positioning error of radiotherapy and ensure the positioning accuracy of dose distribution to the target area. It can also achieve good tumor treatment effects. This range can be used as a reference for bladder filling consistency in patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Nightmare or delight: Taxonomic circumscription meets reticulate evolution in the phylogenomic era.

Phylogenetic studies in the phylogenomics era have demonstrated that reticulate evolution greatly impedes the accuracy of phylogenetic inference, and consequently can obscure taxonomic treatments. However, the systematics community lacks a broadly applicable strategy for taxonomic delimitation in groups characterized by pervasive reticulate evolution. The red-fruit genus, Stranvaesia, provides an ideal model to examine the influence of reticulation on generic circumscription, particularly where hybridization and allopolyploidy dominate the evolutionary history. In this study, we conducted phylogenomic analyses integrating data from hundreds of single-copy nuclear (SCN) genes and plastomes, and interrogated nuclear paralogs to clarify the inter/intra-generic relationship of Stranvaesia and its allies in the framework of Maleae. Analyses of phylogenomic discord and phylogenetic networks showed that allopolyploidization and introgression promoted the origin and diversification of the Stranvaesia clade, a conclusion further bolstered by cytonuclear and gene tree discordance. With a well-inferred phylogenetic backbone, we propose an updated generic delimitation of Stranvaesia and introduce a new genus, Weniomeles. This new genus is distinguished by its purple-black fruits, thorns trunk and/or branches, and a distinctive fruit core anatomy characterized by multilocular separated by a layer of sclereids and a cluster of sclereids at the top of the locules. Through this study, we highlight a broadly-applicable workflow that underscores the significance of reticulate evolution analyses in shaping taxonomic revisions from phylogenomic data.

Malus includes Docynia (Maleae, Rosaceae): evidence from phylogenomics and morphology.

Docynia has been treated as a separate genus or merged into Cydonia or Docyniopsis. Our phylogenomic evidence from 797 single-copy nuclear genes and plastomes confirmed the sister relationship between Docynia and Docyniopsis. By integrating the phylogenomic and morphological evidence, we propose to accept a broad generic concept of Malus and merge Docynia into Malus. Three new combinations are also made here: Malusdelavayi (Franch.) B.B.Liu, M.indica (Wall.) B.B.Liu and M.longiunguis (Q.Luo & J.L.Liu) B.B.Liu.

Integrating transcriptomics and genomics to identify fibroblast growth factor/receptor candidate genes for non-syndromic orofacial cleft in Chinese.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between fibroblast growth factor/receptor (FGF/FGFR) and non-syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOC) in individuals of Han Chinese. DESIGN: Initially, we performed RNA-Seq between non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO) or non-syndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) and control groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were carried out to evaluate the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of FGF/FGFR. Then, we selected the most significant DEG FGFR2 and performed an association analysis in Chinese. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype analyses were performed with HaploView and PLINK. Additional bioinformatics functional prediction for the notable single nucleotide polymorphisms was performed with HaploReg V4.1 and 3DSNP. RESULTS: Finally, we identified 32 mRNAs related to FGF/FGFR via RNA-Seq and chose FGFR2 in the subsequent association analysis. Results indicated that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2288336 in FGFR2 contributed significantly to both non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and NSCLO, with p values of 5.00E-05 (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70-0.88) and 1.38E-04 (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65-0.87), respectively. In addition, rs3793893 in FGFR2 was found to be associated with NSCLO, with a p value of 1.02E-04 (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Our research demonstrated that FGFR2 is significantly more involved in NSOC than other FGF/FGFRs in Chinese and further identified rs2288336 and rs3793893 in FGFR2 associated with NSOC subtypes, which provide further evidence for the genetic etiology of NSOC in Han Chinese.

BDMCA: a big data management system for Chinese auditing.

The advent of big data technologies makes a profound impact on various facets of our lives, which also presents an opportunity for Chinese audits. However, the heterogeneity of multi-source audit data, the intricacy of converting Chinese into SQL, and the inefficiency of data processing methods present significant obstacles to the growth of Chinese audits. In this article, we proposed BDMCA, a big data management system designed for Chinese audits. We developed a hybrid management architecture for handling Chinese audit big data, that can alleviate the heterogeneity of multi-mode data. Moreover, we defined an R-HBase spatio-temporal meta-structure for auditing purposes, which exhibits almost linear response time and excellent scalability. Compared to MD-HBase, R-HBase performs 4.5× and 3× better in range query and kNN query, respectively. In addition, we leveraged the slot value filling method to generate templates and build a multi-topic presentation learning model MRo-SQL. MRo-SQL outperforms the state-of-the-art X-SQL parsing model with improvements in logical-form accuracy of up to 5.2%, and execution accuracy of up to 5.9%.

A Multi-Strategy Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm for Coverage Optimization in a WSN.

To address the problems of low monitoring area coverage rate and the long moving distance of nodes in the process of coverage optimization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a multi-strategy improved sparrow search algorithm for coverage optimization in a WSN (IM-DTSSA) is proposed. Firstly, Delaunay triangulation is used to locate the uncovered areas in the network and optimize the initial population of the IM-DTSSA algorithm, which can improve the convergence speed and search accuracy of the algorithm. Secondly, the quality and quantity of the explorer population in the sparrow search algorithm are optimized by the non-dominated sorting algorithm, which can improve the global search capability of the algorithm. Finally, a two-sample learning strategy is used to improve the follower position update formula and to improve the ability of the algorithm to jump out of the local optimum. Simulation results show that the coverage rate of the IM-DTSSA algorithm is increased by 6.74%, 5.04% and 3.42% compared to the three other algorithms. The average moving distance of nodes is reduced by 7.93 m, 3.97 m, and 3.09 m, respectively. The results mean that the IM-DTSSA algorithm can effectively balance the coverage rate of the target area and the moving distance of nodes.

Clinical features and a prognostic nomogram based on the SEER database for hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and embryonal sarcoma among children and adolescents.

Background: Hepatoblastoma (HB), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and embryonal sarcoma (ES) are the three main types of liver tumors in children and adolescents. At present, epidemiological knowledge and predictors of these three liver tumor types in multi-ethnic populations are limited. This study aimed to outline the clinical features and construct a prognostic nomogram for these tumors, which can contribute to the prediction of dynamic overall survival probability during the follow-up period. Methods: A total of 1,122 patients liver tumor patients between 2000 to 2019 in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled for the current study, and separated into 824 HB, 219 HCC, and 79 ES according to the type of pathology. Independent prognostic factors were screened by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, and a prognostic nomogram was constructed for overall survival. The accuracy and discriminative abilities of the nomogram were evaluated by concordance index as well as time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves. Results: Race (P=0.0016), surgery [hazard ratio (HR): 0.1021, P<0.001], and chemotherapy (HR: 0.27, P=0.00018) are independent prognostic factors for hepatoblastoma. Pathological tissue grading (P=0.00043), tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging (P=0.00061), and surgery are independent prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. Household income and surgery (HR: 0.1906, P<0.001) are independent prognostic factors for embryonal sarcoma. All of these prognostic factors are significantly associated with prognosis. A nomogram consisting of these variables was established, which showed a good concordance index (0.747, 0.775, and 0.828 in hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and embryonal sarcoma, respectively). Also, the 5-year area under curve (AUC) of the nomogram were 0.738, 0.812, and 0.839 in hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and embryonal sarcoma, respectively. In the calibration diagram, an optimal agreement between the nomogram-predicted and actual observed survival was evident. Conclusions: We developed an effective prognostic nomogram for overall survival prediction in hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and embryonal sarcoma in children and adolescent patients, which will further benefit the assessment of long-term outcomes.

Navigating the Storm: Documenting the Experience of Inpatient Registered Nurses Amid the COVID Pandemic-Palliative Care Team Insights.

Nominal research illustrates the lived experience of intensive care unit registered nurses during the COVID pandemic. Palliative care team leaders and nurse researchers designed this cross-sectional study to discover opportunities for palliative care team members to enhance the experience of nurses who cared for critically ill patients during this challenging time. The study aimed to compare the effect of caring for patients in COVID versus non-COVID units. Surveys were distributed after the area's initial COVID patient influx. Questions included general demographics, the Professional Quality of Life survey instrument (measuring compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress), and open-ended questions to identify protective factors and unique challenges. Across 5 care settings with 311 nurses eligible for the study in total, 90 completed the survey. The population consisted of COVID-designated unit nurses (n = 48, 53.33%) and non-COVID unit nurses (n = 42, 46.67%). Analysis between COVID-designated and non-COVID units revealed significantly lower mean compassion scores and significantly higher burnout and stress scores among those working within COVID-designated units. Despite higher levels of burnout and stress and lower levels of compassion, nurses identified protective factors that improved coping and described challenges they encountered. Palliative care clinicians used insights to design interventions to mitigate identified challenges and stressors.

Diagnostic and treatment concordance in primary care participants and dermatologists utilizing Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO).

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal access to dermatologic care is dependent on patient location and insurance type. Although there have been attempts to address access issues, barriers to providing excellent dermatologic care to all patients at the right time still exist. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of Dermatology Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) project participation on primary care providers' diagnostic and treatment tendencies and accuracy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study constructed using Dermatology Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes case and recommendation data from November 2015 to June 2021. The University of Missouri-based Dermatology Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes specialty hub team offers regularly scheduled live interactive tele-mentoring sessions for primary care providers who practice in rural and underserved areas. 524 patient cases presented by 25 primary care providers were included in the analysis. Of those, 449 cases were included in diagnostic concordance, and 451 in treatment concordance analysis. RESULTS: Less than 40% of all diagnoses were fully concordant with an expert panel. Over 33% of patients were misdiagnosed, and over 26% received partially correct diagnosis. Only 16% of all treatment recommendations were fully concordant with an expert panel. DISCUSSION: Diagnostic and treatment accuracy of participants is low, and Dermatology Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes platform ensured patients received correct diagnosis and treatment quickly. Although tele-dermatology models are effective, they continue to be underutilized. Dermatologists in practice and training should be encouraged to adopt innovative clinical educational models, like Dermatology ECHO, to expand access to dermatologic expertise for the most marginalized populations.

Insights into methanogenesis of mesophilic-psychrophilic varied anaerobic digestion of municipal sludge with antibiotic stress.

Methane production through anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sludge is economic and eco-friendly, which is commonly affected by temperature and pollutants residues. However, little is known about methanogenesis in psychrophilic AD (PAD) with temperature variations that simulating seasonal variations and with antibiotic stress. Here, two groups of AD systems with oxytetracycline (OTC) were operated with temperature maintained at 35 °C and 15 °C or variation to explore the influence to methanogenesis. The acetic acid was noticeably accumulated in OTC groups initially (P < 0.001). Methane production was noticeably inhibited initially in PAD with OTC, but had been stimulated later at 35 °C. The dominant acetoclastic methanogens Methanosaeta gradually decreased to 15.48% and was replaced by methylotrophic Methanomethylovorans (73.43%) in PAD with OTC. Correspondingly, the abundances of functional genes related to methylotrophic methanogenesis were also higher in these groups. Besides, genes involving in methane oxidation had over 50 times higher abundances in PAD with OTC groups in the second phase. Further investigation is essential to understand the main dynamics of methanogenesis in PAD and to clear the related molecular mechanism for future methane production regulation in sludge systems.

Towards fully ab initio simulation of atmospheric aerosol nucleation.

Atmospheric aerosol nucleation contributes to approximately half of the worldwide cloud condensation nuclei. Despite the importance of climate, detailed nucleation mechanisms are still poorly understood. Understanding aerosol nucleation dynamics is hindered by the nonreactivity of force fields (FFs) and high computational costs due to the rare event nature of aerosol nucleation. Developing reactive FFs for nucleation systems is even more challenging than developing covalently bonded materials because of the wide size range and high dimensional characteristics of noncovalent hydrogen bonding bridging clusters. Here, we propose a general workflow that is also applicable to other systems to train an accurate reactive FF based on a deep neural network (DNN) and further bridge DNN-FF-based molecular dynamics (MD) with a cluster kinetics model based on Poisson distributions of reactive events to overcome the high computational costs of direct MD. We found that previously reported acid-base formation rates tend to be significantly underestimated, especially in polluted environments, emphasizing that acid-base nucleation observed in multiple environments should be revisited.

Effectiveness of Standard Margin Stereotactic Radiosurgery Dose to Brain Metastases.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess efficacy of a 15-Gy margin dose in terms with the hypothesis that efficacy will be comparable with historical controls with fewer radiation-related side effects. METHODS: Patients who received single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for metastatic brain tumors (prescribed 1500 cGy with 2-mm planning tumor volume) at the University of Missouri Hospital between 2004 and 2018 with at least 3 months of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, lesion dimensions, concurrent therapy, and treatment history before SRS were assessed. Outcomes included local control, distant control, radiation-related changes, survival, repeat SRS or whole-brain radiation therapy, and side effects. Data from the literature were pooled for a meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients had at least 3 months of follow-up data available. The 12-month actual local control rate among these patients was 92% per tumor. The overall intracranial control rate was 66.9% per patient. Radiation-related side effects occurred in 32.4% of patients (n = 46), with some patients having more than 1 side effect. Radiation-related radiographic changes occurred in 48 lesions (10.6%) in 37 patients (26%). Pathologically confirmed radiation necrosis occurred in 19 lesions (4%) and in 18 patients (12.6%). Local and distant control rates for this population was comparable with historical controls. Side effects in the literature are inconsistently reported, so rigorous comparative analysis is not possible. CONCLUSIONS: A single-fraction radiosurgery margin dose of 15 Gy to the planning tumor volume can effectively provide local control and distant control and is comparable with historical controls, which use 18-25 Gy, with a good toxicity profile.

Multi-Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Cascaded Modulation Chaotic System and Block-Scrambling-Diffusion.

To address the problem of a poor security image encryption algorithm based on a single chaotic map, this paper proposes a cascade modulation chaotic system (CMCS) that can generate multiple chaotic maps. On this basis, a multi-image encryption algorithm with block-scrambling-diffusion is proposed using CMCS. The algorithm makes full use of the features of CMCS to achieve the effect of one encryption at a time for images. Firstly, the key-value associated with the plaintexts is generated using a secure hash algorithm-512 (SHA-512) operation and random sequence, and the three images are fully confused by the double scrambling mechanism. Secondly, the scrambled image is converted into a bit-level matrix, and the pixel values are evenly distributed using the bit-group diffusion. Finally, the non-sequence diffusion of hexadecimal addition and subtraction rules is used to improve the security of the encryption algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that the encryption algorithm proposed in this paper has a good encryption effect and can resist various attacks.